Author and her pony visit Mannington Township students

MANNINGTON TWP. — Students at the Mannington School were treated to a special assembly here Friday morning featuring author/actress JoAnn Dawson and her pony, Butterscotch.

Dawson, of North East, Maryland, spoke to students about her life growing up on a horse farm and how she used her experiences from her youth to produce a series of books.

The Lucky Foot Stable Series is a collection of books for kids age eight to 12, and tells the adventure of two best friends and their ponies.

Staff photo by Britney LillyaStudents at the Mannington School were treated to an assembly here Friday morning featuring author/actress JoAnn Dawson and her pony, Butterscotch.

“The stories in the book are actually true stories from my life growing up,” said Dawson.

After her presentation, Dawson took the children outside, where they lined up on the sidewalk. After whipping open the trailer, Butterscotch stepped out and the eyes of the students lit up with excitement.

Each student was given a chance to spend some time with Butterscotch and most reached to pet his nose — others snuggled close to the pony’s fluffy coat.

Along with presenting her book, Dawson explained the writing process to students.

“Make sure you always proofread all of your work,” she told the children.

She also said if you are having trouble thinking of a topic to write about, just write what you know.

“A good way to come up with stories is to keep a journal or a diary,” said Dawson. “This helps you develop your writing by reading and writing everyday.”

And if you have writer’s block, Dawson said put your writing away and do something totally different.

“It will help clear your mind and most often times when I’m not thinking about my writing the ideas come to me,” she said.

But the last bit of advice, and most important, from Dawson was for the students to listen to their teachers.

Dawson has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Delaware in animal science and agricultural education. She also has a master’s degree in education.

Dawson is also a member of the Screen Actors Guild and has worked in film and television as an actress, wrangler and animal handler. Her credits include “The Sixth Sense,” “Beloved,” “12 Monkeys,” and “For Richer or Poorer.”

A horse lover since early childhood, Dawson lives with her husband and two sons at Fairwinds Farm (formerly Tailwinds), a bed and breakfast in Maryland, where they offer riding lessons, trail rides and summer camp.